ICSC-Goldman's Same Store Sales Drop, Redbook Shows Slowing Sales As Well

Same-store sales at chain stores fell 1.5 percent in the December 6 week for a year-on-year rate of plus 2.9 percent which is on the weak side though up 1 tenth from the prior week. The lack of punch in sales points to last-minute holiday gains late in the month.

...meanwhile...

Sales at chain stores slowed in the December 6 week to a same-store year-on-year pace of plus 3.9 percent, down 9 tenths from the prior week's pace. Redbook describes the slowing as typical for early December following the late November rush. The report says retailers expect sales to buildup going into Hanukkah, which falls this year on December 16, and into Christmas which should benefit from 1 extra pre-Christmas shopping day this year.